Lung cancer is one of the most common and highly aggressive types of cancer, that has been linked with the highest cancer-related mortality. If we speak of India alone, more than a million new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed every year. Although there have been tremendous advancements in the diagnostic and treatment modalities available for lung cancer, there is a lack of awareness among the general masses, and this has given rise to many myths. On this World Lung Cancer Day, we have tried to bust some such with the help of the experts specializing in oncology treatment in Mumbai.

Myth 1 - Lung cancer only develops in people who smoke.

This is completely false. Smoking is one of the major risk factors associated with lung cancer but it is not the only risk factor. In fact, lung cancer can also develop in people who do not smoke at all. As per the experts from the best cancer care centre in Pune, there have been cases where the patient diagnosed with lung cancer did not have a history of smoking, not even second-hand. Lung cancer could also be a result of exposure to harmful chemical fumes, toxins or other environmental factors.

Myth 2 - It is impossible to reduce the risks of lung cancer.

Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and maybe this is the reason why many people believe that it is not possible to alleviate the risks. However, this is not true. Although you cannot completely negate the risks of lung cancer you can easily reduce the same by making some healthy lifestyle changes and refraining from activities that could promote the same. You can start by giving up the habit of smoking and using proper safety gear while using any chemical or toxin.

Myth 3 - Children do not develop lung cancer.

There can be two possible explanations behind why people tend to believe that children do not develop lung cancer. The first one is that although lung cancer can affect children, the incidence is very low. Second, many people tend to believe that only smokers can develop lung cancer, so they automatically think that small children will be immune to it. The best cancer doctor in Pune suggests that lung cancer is more common in adults and advanced age does happen to be a risk factor, but this does not mean that children cannot develop it.

Myth 4 - Being exposed to increase pollution is much more dangerous than smoking when it comes to the risks of lung cancer.

There are several risk factors for lung cancer some of which are more dangerous than others, however smoking tops the list. No doubt, being exposed to pollution can increase your chances of developing lung cancer but we cannot really generalize. Also, the combination of pollution and smoking could prove to be much more hazardous to your health as compared to any of these taken individually.

Myth 5 - Taking antioxidant supplements can help to completely negate the risks of lung cancer.

Lung cancer is caused by abnormal mutations in the DNA of the cells, as a result of which they multiply uncontrollably and gradually replace all the healthy cells and tissues in the lungs. These mutations or changes can be triggered by a variety of different factors. Taking antioxidant supplements can help to manage some of these factors but not all of them. There have been a few studies that suggest that the use of dietary antioxidants like Vitamin C and carotenoids can help significantly lower the risks of lung cancer however there is no proper evidence to back the same.

To know more about lung cancer or to get yourself assessed, consult our expert, at Jupiter Hospital today.